The significance of the whole movement was deepened by the Conference
of Oppressed Austrian Nationalities held at Rome on April 10, when a
full understanding with Italy was reached. The territorial and other
questions at issue between the Italians and Jugoslavs were settled,
and the Poles joined the other delegates in the demand for a complete
overthrow of the present Austrian Empire, declaring that the future
of Poland lay in a firm alliance with the reconstituted nations of
the Czecho-Slovaks, the Jugoslavs, and the Rumanians. The text of the
formal declaration then adopted, is as follows:
1. Every people proclaims it to be its right to determine its own
nationality and national unity and complete independence.
2. Every people knows that the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy is an
instrument of German domination, and a fundamental obstacle to the
realization of its rights to free development and self-government.
3. The Congress recognizes the necessity of fighting against the
common oppressors.
The representatives of the Jugoslavs agree:
That the unity and independence of the Jugoslav Nation is
considered of vital importance by Italy.
That the deliverance of the Adriatic Sea and its defense from any
enemy is of capital interest to the two peoples.
That territorial controversies will be amicably settled on the
principle of nationality, and in such a manner as not to injure
the vital interests of the two nations; interests which will be
taken into account at the peace conferences.
The Polish delegates added their declaration that they considered
Germany to be Poland's chief enemy, and that they believed the
disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to be indispensable for
the obtaining of their independence from Germany.